Age-specific Incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Save

Epidemiologic estimates on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis are limited. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Lupus Registry network of population-based SLE registries has assessed and reported age-specific incidence of SLE by sex, race, and ethnicity.

The CDC network of SLE registries includes five state-based registries, plus a sixth Indian Health Service registry. Incidence periods spanned calendar years 2002-2018. Age-specific incidence was reported per 100,000 person-years, stratified by sex, race, and ethnicity for the meta-analyses.

Results

Incidence rates among women were highest for those aged 30-39 (12.7, 95%CI: 9.5-16.8), while rates among men were highest for those aged 60-69 (2.1, 95%CI: 1.3-3.4). Black women aged 20-39 had the highest SLE incidence rates (23.6, 95%CI: 20.7-26.8). Among women diagnosed with SLE before age 20, incidence was highest among Asian (6.5, 95%CI: 2.8-15.2) individuals. Among women diagnosed with SLE after age 60, incidence was highest among American Indian/Alaska Native (9.4, 95%CI: 3.4-15.4) individuals. Weighted percentages show 10.0% of those with SLE were diagnosed before age 20, while 15.1% were diagnosed after age 60. The largest proportion of individuals with SLE, 22.1%, were diagnosed between 30-39 years.

Conclusions

This study provides comprehensive sex- and race-specific estimates of age at SLE diagnosis. The substantial later in life SLE incidence among men and disease burden in pediatric and older populations should raise awareness in considering SLE in the differential diagnosis in previously underrecognized groups.